Where do rural European Villages stand within Europe and the World in the 21st century? Can those villages keep
their vitality in an urban world? Eleven European villages have focused on this issue. Convinced of the richness of their cultural and natural heritage, they decided to meet to define what rural life
could be while the world is undergoing profound change.
Aldeburgh (GB), Bystré (CZ), Killingi Nomme (ESE), Kirchheim (A),
Mellionnec (F), Palkonya (H), Paxos (GR), Pergine Valdarno (I), Porrúa (ES),
Schachdorf Ströbeck (D), Tommerup (DK) and Wijk aan Zee (NL)
In December 1999, the mayors of the 11 partner villages signed the charter
of rural villages in Europe. They met in Brussels on 7 June 2000 to
present it to the European Parliament.